“Because She is a Mother”

Every step toward motherhood is daunting. Amid the seemingly constant (self-induced) blast of Pinterest ideas, developmental methods, career pressures and blog posts about posh nurseries-to-be, these words of wisdom were needed and refreshing.

Holland’s touching words remind me that with a reliance on God our inadequacies “are made whole”.

“In speaking of mothers generally, I especially wish to praise and encourage young mothers. The work of a mother is hard, too often unheralded work. The young years are often those when either husband or wife—or both—may still be in school or in those earliest and leanest stages of developing the husband’s breadwinning capacities. Finances fluctuate daily between low and nonexistent. The apartment is usually decorated in one of two smart designs—Deseret Industries provincial or early Mother Hubbard. The car, if there is one, runs on smooth tires and an empty tank. But with night feedings and night teethings, often the greatest challenge of all for a young mother is simply fatigue. Through these years, mothers go longer on less sleep and give more to others with less personal renewal for themselves than any other group I know at any other time in life. It is not surprising when the shadows under their eyes sometimes vaguely resemble the state of Rhode Island.

Do the best you can through these years, but whatever else you do, cherish that role that is so uniquely yours and for which heaven itself sends angels to watch over you and your little ones. … Remember, “To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven.”